Re: The Anathema Debate

Could you please tell us where the below quote of St Nicodemos came from? Thanks. In Christ- Fr Raphael Vereshack

Message 1 of 42
, Aug 5, 2005

0 Attachment

Could you please tell us where the below quote of St Nicodemos came from?
Thanks.
In Christ- Fr Raphael Vereshack

--- In orthodox-synod@yahoogroups.com, "rstauffer" <rstauffer@y...> wrote:
>
> To begin with, however, let me quote from St. Nicodemus of the Holy
> Mountain's teaching on how anathemas work.
>
> He wrote:
>
> "We must know that the penalties provided by the canons, such as
> deposition, excommunication, and anathematization, are imposed in
> the third person according to grammatical usage, there being no
> imperative available. In such cases in order to express a command,
> the second person would be necessary. I will explain the matter
> better. The canons COMMAND the council of living bishops to depose
> the priests, or to excommunicate them, or to ANATHEMATIZE laymen who
> violate the canons. Yet, if the council does not actually effect the
> deposition of the priests, or the excommunication, or the
> anathematization of the laymen, THEY ARE NEITHER ACTUALLY deposed,
> nor excommunicated, NOR ANATHEMATIZED.
>
> "They are, however, liable to stand judicial trial -- here, with
> regard to deposition, excommunication, and anathematization, but
> there with regard to divine vengeance. Just as when a king commands
> his slave to whip another who did something that offended him, if
> the slave in question fails to execute the king's command, he will
> nevertheless be liable to trial for the whipping.
>
> "So, those silly men make a great mistake who say that at the
> present time all those in holy orders who have been ordained
> contrary to the canons are actually deposed from office. It is an
> inquisitional tongue that foolishly twaddles thus without
> understanding that the COMMAND of the canons, without the practical
> activity of the second person, or, more plainly speaking, of the
> council, REMAINS UNEXECUTED, since it does not act of itself and by
> itself immediately and before judgment.
>
> "The Apostles themselves explain themselves in their c. XLVI
> unmistakenly, since they do not say that any bishop or presbyter who
> accepts a baptism performed by heretics is ALREADY and AT ONCE
> deposed, but rather they COMMAND that he be deposed, or, at any
> rate, that he stand trial, and if it be proven that he did so,
> then 'we command that he be stripped of holy orders,' they say, 'by
> YOUR DECISION.'"
>
>

Athanasios Jayne

... readers ... Dear Alex, The teaching I expressed is not, per se, mine. If you actually read my post, you would see that I provided *extensive* quotes

The teaching I expressed is not, per se, "mine." If you
actually read my post, you would see that I provided
*extensive* quotes which demonstrate that it is, in fact,
the clear and unambiguous teaching of the Hieromartyr
St. Cyprian of Carthage, St. Theodore the Studite, and
Archimandrite Dr. Justin Popovich of Blessed Memory
(who says it is the teaching of the *Orthodox Church*).
Doubtless, many other sources could readily be provided which
say the same, since it is nothing less than Orthodox
ecclesiology as regards the sacraments of heretics and
schismatics. If anyone wishes to disagree, his disagreement
is *not* with me, but rather with the renowned Orthodox
luminaries I have cited, who possess great theological
credence and authority. And if they are right, then those
who disagree, disagree not with them, but with the Church.
And those who disagree with the Church, disagree with God.
I would like to see someone actually *engage* the sources
I have provided, rather than simply pass over them in
deafening silence, or attempt to dismiss their clear
testimony through ad hominem attacks directed against
myself (which is all that has happened so far). I stand with
St. Cyprian, St. Theodore, and Fr. Justin. If they were wrong,
then I am wrong. But so far, no one has dared to say they were
wrong, nor has anyone given any Patristic evidence to the
contrary. We must not trust our unsupported opinions or our
emotions, which can deceive us. We must submit our our
judgment to that of the Church, which is true and sure,
and which can be found in the writings of the divine
Scriptures, the Saints, and Holy Fathers--like the stars
of heaven which guide those on earth.

Athanasios.

Your message has been successfully submitted and would be delivered to recipients shortly.